Setting the Budget Slay

Everyone knows that heat and humidity are not your friend when you need to look cute in those selfies. I mean, I love the heat and all but I just wish it could miss my face. I already have an oily T-Zone, so when it gets hot, you can almost fry an egg on my face. What more when I have foundation on?

All the YouTube videos I watched recommended using a primer and setting spray to manage the oiliness. Man! I swear I almost had a heart attack the first time I tried to buy a conventional “drugstore” primer. For those who don’t know, primer costs an arm and a leg for a very small amount of product. For example, 20 ml Maybellline Superstay 24hr primer costs R139.95; 30ml Rimmel Foundation Primer costs R99.95; and Revlon Compact Primer costs R250 at Dischem in South Africa. Imagine how much it would cost after importing it to Zimbabwe!

20 ml for R139.95

 

30 ml R99.95 

Expensive Drugstore Primers!

 

 

 

 

I did end up finding a decent primer hack in Milk of Magnesium, but it’s not ideal for everyday use and I will discuss that in another blog post. I’m pretty much satisfied with the result of my primer quest, so I decided to find an affordable setting spray. Keep reading for my Avon setting spray experience.

Product: Avon Magix Mark. Prep and Set Spray 125ml

Avon Magic. Magix Prep and Set Spray

Claims: Helps to set makeup in place without drying the skin; ultra-light weight; infused with vitamin A,C and E; can be used under or over makeup

Avon Prep and Set (Claims)

Price: About US$4.50 from my local Avon Agent. It was on special at the time of purchase. Regular price is about US$11. The other version of Avon’s setting sprays is on special this August for about US$6

Delivery Time: Approximately 2 weeks

Texture: Clear, watery liquid. Has a slight chemical/alcohol smell

My Experience of Using It: The first time I applied it, I put the bottle too close to my face and almost went into shock due to all the sudden moisture on my face. This first application was on a bare face. After a few minutes, my skin felt tight, like when you forget to moisturise. The feeling was worse in the naturally dry areas of my face. Fortunately, the tight feeling was short-lived – after about 30 min my skin felt normal again. Unfortunately, it didn’t do much about the oiliness as I was my regular grease ball self after a few hours. I will say that the greasy stage was delayed. I decided to give the setting spray a second chance, with foundation. This time I decided to apply both under and over the foundation, just to make sure. The same sequence of events followed – tight feeling immediately after application –> normal feeling a few minutes after application –> greasy mess after about 4-5 hours. See the picture I took below that I took at lunch time. I didn’t blot throughout the process. The naturally dry areas of my face were doing well, as expected, but that’s not what stands out in pictures is it now?!

Taken first thing in the morning

My t-zone about 4-5hours after setting with the spray

Extra Information: If you insist on trying this setting spray, I’d recommend using a primer as well. I’m a bit sceptical about using it with Milk of Magnesium as this could lead to an excessively dry face. Secondly, I don’t know what the chemical combination could result in. I will post an update about this after I try it in a few weeks’ time.

Verdict: Overall, the product is a let-down. The only claim it completely lives up to is that it’s ultra-light weight, and that it doesn’t dry the skin. Unfortunately, the effect doesn’t last too long. It did not keep my makeup in place. I’d hate to see it really fail during the hot summer months. My guess is that it was not designed for the hot African climate – Avon is a New York based company after all. I will not be repurchasing it. Χ